If you were to ask me where my ideas come from, I’d probably give you a blank stare and try to change the subject. Not because it’s not a good question—it is—but because it’s so hard to nail down. Sometimes an idea might be sparked by a conversation, by something in the news, or even by a passing observation. But I find that most of my ideas come out of the blue—or at least I can’t put my finger on where they came from. And even those that I can track back to their original source have often changed and morphed so much by the time they appear in their final form that even I don’t recognize them anymore.
But then there are those nuggets of real life that make it into my stories. All the Scriptural truths in my books are from real life, of course. But you might be surprised to know that some of the events in my stories or characteristics of my characters are based, at least in part, on real life too.
Want to know which ones? Try your hand at this fun little quiz to find out! (Note, just to keep you on your toes, some of the questions may have more than one correct answer!)
Like Sophie in Not Until Forever . . .
A. I lived in Chicago for short time.
B. My husband proposed to me on a park bench.
C. My parents are real estate developers.
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Answer: B. My husband proposed to me on a bench at “our” park—the park just down the street from our college campuses, where we walked and talked and shared quick lunches between classes. A few years ago, he made me a park bench for our front porch. He even carved our initials on it.
Sophie found several items when cleaning out her grandmother’s house. Which one do I have in my house?
A. A ship in a bottle
B. A nutcracker
C. A squirrel cookie jar
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Answer: C. I’m a little bit embarrassed to admit it, but yes, we have a cookie jar with a squirrel on top. We inherited it from my husband’s grandmother, and although it’s not the most beautiful thing ever, it sits on top of our refrigerator as a reminder of her.
Which of these settings in Not Until This Moment is based on a place I’ve been to?
A. Tamarack Ski Lodge
B. The wedding decorated with hearts
C. The Hidden Cafe
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Answer: A. When I was younger, my family often stayed at the Telemark ski lodge in northern Wisconsin (in summer though, not winter!). Sadly, last I heard, the lodge was scheduled to be demolished.
Like Violet in Not Until You, I . . .
A. Eat M&Ms one at a time
B. Restore antiques
C. Have an old music box I treasure
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Answer: A. M&Ms are my all-time favorite candy. And they are meant to be savored. My husband takes Nate’s view of things, though, and eats them by the handful.
Like Violet, I have also experienced . . .
A. A utility sink falling off the wall
B. A fire
C. A broken arm
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Answer: A and B. When I was a kid, the utility sink broke off the wall in our laundry room, and there was water everywhere. As for the fire, when my two oldest children were still babies, we had a small kitchen fire. It was out quickly and didn’t do much damage, but it was scary.
Like Pastor Dan from Not Until Us, my husband . . .
A. Has dressed like a lion in a parade
B. Is a pastor
C. Loves Star Wars
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Answer: B and C. My husband is both a pastor and a Star Wars nerd. Sadly, he does not have a whole room dedicated to Star Wars memorabilia like Dan does (don’t give him any ideas!).
Like Leah in Not Until Christmas Morning, my family has . . .
A. A pet squirrel
B. A kid who refused to eat anything but PBJ
C. Entered a decorating contest for Christmas
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Answer: B. With four kids, I had to have at least one who went through her phase of eating little but PBJ. Not for any particular reason—except that it was what she liked.
Like Isabel in Not Until This Day, I have . . .
A. Experienced a tornado
B. Walked in a parade
C. Wiped out on my bike
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Answer: A, B, and C. When I was a teen, an F5 tornado hit a small town only five miles from our house. We were sheltering in the basement, but as the skies cleared we peeked outside just in time to see the tornado lift back into the sky. Thankfully, there were only minor injuries and no deaths. As for walking in a parade, my family walks in our church’s entry in our community’s 4th of July and Christmas parades nearly every year—though we’ve never yet done so in pajamas! And regarding the bike wipeout—early in our marriage, my husband and I were biking a gravel trail and I took a downhill turn too fast, ending up pretty scraped up like Isabel but otherwise unharmed.
So how’d you do? Could you spot the things taken from my real life? When you read, do you ever wonder whether anything in the book has come from the author’s life?
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
Hi Valerie!Thanks for the fun blog with pictures include. Our family loves squirrels. I even wrote the granddaughters a children’s story with pictures about squirrels. We have a small beanie baby squirrel named Sammy, who goes on adventures with the granddaughters. The squirrel cookie jar is unique and special. This avid reader often asks authors were they got their ideas. So fun. Even sent a few authors ideas. Thanks for sharing and giving us a glimpse into your writing process. Best wishes.
I guessed about half right. Thank you for sharing.
I guessed most correctly! That was fun to read! I do wonder if something that happens in the book has come from real life. I know a few authors like to bake, and that ends up their books sometimes, or other things that happen to them. I have to say, I think the squirrel cooking jar is cute!! When I read suspense, I do hope the authors never dealt with the things in them!
Glad you enjoyed it! How fun that you wrote your granddaughters a story about squirrels and that they have a beanie squirrel to go on adventures with them!
Awesome! Isn’t it funny how sometimes the things anyone would think have to be made up are the things that come from real life? :)
Yay! I’m impressed. :) And I’m glad you like the squirrel cookie jar (I have to admit it’s grown on me too over the years). And I heartily agree–there are some things you definitely hope aren’t from real life!
That was a fun quiz!
Glad you enjoyed it, Merrillee! :)
That was a lovely post, and some how I managed to get most of them correct! Hahaha!
I loved this Val! I know we have gotten to know each other pretty well and was excited to see I only missed 1 of the answers. Isn’t it neat how many little fact come up in everyday conversation (especially considering we’ve yet to have the blessing of one face-to-face)? I think the only one of these we ever talked about in reference to your books was the park bench. This gives your readers a good look into little facts about who you are, and even though I’m slightly biased, I have to say you are a pretty special young lady!
As I’m reading a story, I really don’t wonder about what came from real life experience. However, hearing about it after the fact (like your post today) I always find fascinating. In my own writing, there are things that I include because they represent something about myself. Other things I include because they represent, even honor, other people I have known. I also include things that, usual in the humor category, because you just can’t make that stuff up. It’s too quirky or even downright hilarious.
Thanks for the fun post! I hope the process for Grace’s story is going well. Best wishes.
I guessed a couple of ones. Your book sounds like a very good read. And yes, when I am reading a book, I wonder why the author wrote that, if they went through something the main character went through and other little things. Thank you for sharing about your book and sharing about yourself , I enjoyed reading it. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.
Thanks, Paula Marie! And congratulations on getting most of them correct! :)
Aww, thank you, Deb! I’m so glad to know you enjoyed it and that you know so many things about me. :) It’s been a blessing to get to know you too!
Hi Lincoln! That’s a good point! When you’re reading the story, you’re usually too caught up in it to wonder if any of it is from real life–but it’s fun to find out after the fact. I always think it’s amazing how some of the things you’d think must be made up because they’re so out there turn out to be based on real life because, as you say, there are some things you just can’t make up!
Hi Alicia! Thanks so much! It’s so funny because I think readers wonder what authors were thinking when they wrote something–and authors wonder what readers are thinking as they read it! So it’s nice to get that insight both ways. :) Blessings!
Hi! That was fun! My parents had that squirrel cookie jar when I was still at home – from the 70’s/early 80’s, I believe. :D They were large enough for LOTS of cookies – so that was a Bonus.
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane. :)
I do sometimes wonder what things in a book come from the authors real life. I’m sure there’s inspiration all around you to spark a story! Or maybe something that’s happened to someone you know that you include.
It’s fun to learn what you have put in your stories Valerie :-)
What fun and I LOVE the cookie jar.
Oh wow! That’s too funny that your parents had the same cookie jar! I had no idea that there were more of them in the world, lol. It’s definitely big enough for lots of cookies. :)
Thanks, Trixi! You’re right–there’s inspiration all around! You never know what might spark an idea.
Glad you enjoyed the quiz, Mary! And the cookie jar! :)
I’m always curious if someone drew something from her own life, but I never assume.
My grandmothers biscuit jar had a ballerina on top. Like your family, it’s not the ballerina rather the memories that it evokes that are so precious to us. Wonderful post! Thanks
I guessed several of them. I like the squirrel cookie barrel. Then again I love squirrels. I know we had one that was dad’s mothers and I had it in my play house so it got broken. I don’t think mum ever like it much hence me getting it.
I was that kid that didn’t like foods (and am still fussy) but for me it was vegemite sandwiches or toast. I had to eat some veggies but I didn’t have to eat them on Sundays.
I liked the post it was fun.
That was a great quiz! I love to see real situations crop up in stories. It makes it that much more real!
True! It’s too hard to know unless the author points it out!
Yes! The memories are what matter! The ballerina cookie jar sounds cute. :)
There have been times I’ve wondered what would happen if the squirrel cookie jar just *happened* to break, lol! But I have to admit it’s grown on me over the years. :) And I love that you had a day to take a break from veggies!
Thanks, Paula! Glad you enjoyed it!